Steel Bridge Design: Selecting the Right Bridge Type

One of the initial choices to be made by the bridge designer is to select the most appropriate bridge type for the site. While this choice is not always straightforward, selecting the right structure type is probably an important aspect of designing a cost-effective bridge. This course provides bridge designers with the tools to select the right bridge type for the given site. Bridge types discussed included rolled steel beams, steel plate girders, trusses, arches, cable-stayed, and suspension bridges. Topics:

• Required Span Lengths
• Existing and Other Constraints
• Rolled Beam Bridges
• Welded Plate Girder Bridges
• Trussed Bridges
• Arched Bridges
• Cable-Stayed Bridges
• Suspension Bridges
• Economic Considerations
• Constructability Considerations

PDH Credits: 3 PDH 

Disclaimer: This course on Steel Bridge Design is based on FHWA non-restricted publications in the public domain, dating from 2015 to 2016. All subsequent versions of these courses have become proprietary under a "Rights Reserved" restriction by the AISC and are thus not available as public domain courseware. Design principles and methodologies used in this previous version remain relevant and up to date, as of late 2023. To view the latest versions, please visit the AISC download site at: https://www.aisc.org/nsba/design-and-estimation-resources/steel-bridge-design-handbook